Environmental Impact Statement: Alexander, Johnson, Massac, Pulaski, and Union Counties, Illinois; Ballard and McCracken Counties, Kentucky; and Cape Girardeau, Scott and Mississippi Counties, Missouri

Catherine A. Batey
Federal Highway Administration
May 21, 2014

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 98 (Wednesday, May 21, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29261-29262]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-11699]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement: Alexander, Johnson, Massac, 
Pulaski, and Union Counties, Illinois; Ballard and McCracken Counties, 
Kentucky; and Cape Girardeau, Scott and Mississippi Counties, Missouri

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that a 
Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared for the 66 
Corridor Project in Alexander, Johnson, Massac, Pulaski, and Union 
Counties, Illinois; Ballard, and McCracken Counties, Kentucky; and Cape 
Girardeau, Mississippi and Scott Counties, Missouri.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Catherine A. Batey, Division 
Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, 3250 Executive Park 
Drive, Springfield, Illinois 62703, Phone: (217) 492-4600. Jeffrey L. 
Keirn, P.E., Deputy Director of Highways, Region Five Engineer, 
Illinois Department of Transportation, State Transportation Building, 
2801 W. Murphyboro, P.O. Box 100, Carbondale, Illinois 62903, (618) 
549-2171.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with Illinois 
Department of Transportation, will prepare a Tier 1 EIS for the 66 
Corridor Project. The anticipated project termini are Interstate 55 in 
Missouri and Paducah, Kentucky. The project study area includes 
portions of the following counties: Alexander, Union, Pulaski, Johnson 
and Massac Counties in Illinois; Ballard and McCracken Counties in 
Kentucky; and Cape Girardeau, Mississippi and Scott Counties in 
Missouri. The study area covers approximately 2,500 square miles.
    The Tier 1 EIS for the 66 Corridor Project is being conducted to 
evaluate the need for an improved transportation system between 
Paducah, Kentucky and I-55 in Missouri. The Tier One EIS will complete 
a broad analysis of transportation system alternative(s) in the study 
area and evaluate environmental impacts at a planning level of detail 
using a Geographic Information System (GIS) supplemented as needed by 
field investigations, transportation studies, economic impact studies, 
and cost analysis.
    The primary environmental resources that may be affected by this 
project are: national forests; conservation areas; wildlife refuges; 
agricultural, residential, commercial, and industrial properties; 
cultural resources; Section 4(f) resources; threatened and endangered 
species; streams and floodplains; and wetlands. It is anticipated that 
a U.S. Army Corp of Engineers Section 404 permit and a U.S. Coast Guard 
Section 10 permit will be required for this project.
    Alternatives assessed will seek to avoid and minimize impacts to 
these resources. In accordance with IDOT policies, the project is being 
developed using Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) as the basis for an 
extensive stakeholder outreach program.
    As part of early project coordination, scoping activities have been 
completed within the study area. A scoping summary will be prepared and 
distributed to the resource agencies.
    A range of Alternatives will be developed and evaluated, including 
but not limited to: taking no action, existing roadway improvements, 
and new roadways on new location.
    The Stakeholder Involvement Plan (SIP), which will satisfy the 23 
U.S.C. Section 139 requirements for a Coordination Plan, will be 
developed to ensure that a full range of issues related to this 
proposed project are identified and addressed. The SIP provides 
meaningful opportunities for all stakeholders to participate in 
defining transportation issues and solutions for the study area.
    Comments or questions concerning this proposed action and the Tier 
1 EIS are invited from all interested parties and should be directed to 
the FHWA at the address provided above or the following Web site: 
www.66corridor.org
    A public hearing will be held after the Tier 1 Draft EIS is 
published and made available for public and agency review. Public 
notice will be given of the time

[[Page 29262]]

and place of public meetings and hearings.
    The Tier One EIS will conclude with a Record of Decision selecting 
either a no-build or a preferred corridor, or corridors. Following 
completion of the Tier One Record of Decision, projects with 
independent utility may be advanced to Tier Two NEPA documents that 
focus on detailed environmental analyses.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205, 
Highway Research, Planning and Construction. The regulations 
implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental 
consultation on Federal programs and activities apply to this 
program).

    Issued on: May 14, 2014.
Catherine A. Batey,
Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, Springfield, 
Illinois.
[FR Doc. 2014-11699 Filed 5-20-14; 8:45 am]
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